Amy Neloms brings 19 years of dedication and passion to ensuring that all children are healthy, safe, supported, challenged, and engaged. Prior to joining ASCD, she has served as a school counselor, high school guidance director, K–12 district director of Guidance and Counseling, and executive director of Student Support Services for Birmingham City Schools. Using the Whole Child framework, she was able to educate, advocate, and develop educators, community stakeholders, and parents.

Alicia Monroe is a PK–20 experienced educator and international education consultant. Her nationally recognized research, Co-Creative Dialogue in Culturally Proficient Schools, provides a glimpse into the socio-dynamics of school communities and methods of self-correction that will support student achievement. Her notable success in creating a culture of belonging and achievement in schools along with her expertise in developing equity and access models that frame educational opportunities for all students are the core of the ongoing professional learning and support she provides to school districts. A sought-after speaker and facilitator, Monroe has presented her research at several international and national conferences.

Monroe also serves as Assistant Director, Strategic Initiatives at Rowan University. Notably, in this role, she created and implements the Rowan First Star STEAM Academy, a pre-college transition program that engages foster youth in project-based, experiential learning, college to career discovery, and intrusive mentoring and coaching. As adjunct faculty, she teaches undergraduate, graduate, and doctoral level courses. Her partnership with the Office of Accessibility Services provides for collaborative planning, mentoring, career coaching, and job placement for differently abled students and alumni. She is also the CEO and Founder of Solutions for Sustained Success, LLC., which offers services and professional learning in the areas of education, organizational systems, change management, leadership, diversity and inclusion, and equity and access.

Monroe received a Doctor of Education degree and earned the coveted Larry Marcus Medallion for Excellence in Doctoral Studies from Rowan University, a master's from Pratt Institute, and a bachelor's from the College of the Holy Cross. Monroe's LinkedIn profile details her leadership, scholarly publications, conference presentations, professional affiliations, and honors.

Olympia Della Flora is the Superintendent of Marion City Schools in Marion, Ohio. Prior to coming to the district, she spent four years in Connecticut as the Stamford Public Schools Associate Superintendent for School Development. Before that, she spent 17 years with Columbus City Schools as a teacher, assistant principal and principal. During her time in Columbus, she earned the highest teaching degree and became a National Board Certified Teacher which she still holds. She was also named an Emerging Leader by ASCD.

Della Flora is a two-time alumnus of The Ohio State University. She holds a bachelor’s degree in biology (1999) and a 2001 master's degree in Elementary Education K-8 program. Della Flora has received numerous local, state, and national awards and recognition for her dedication to and work in public education.